6 Things You Need To Know Today – February 5, 2013

IMF Team In Jamaica. A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was due in the island yesterday and is expected to remain in Jamaica until February 15. The mission is being headed by Jan Kees Martijn…read more at Jamaica-Gleaner.com

Blame Gov’t For JPS Bills – OUR Boss Says High Energy Cost Is Political Leaders’ Fault. Outgoing head of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) Ahmad Zia Mian has slammed the country’s political leaders for their failure to make and implement a decision on an alternative energy source for Jamaica…read more at Jamaica-Gleaner.com

Olint’s Smith Seeks Early Release. Still smarting from the failure of local authorities to bring convicted Ponzi schemer David Smith to book, Jamaicans appear to be indifferent to news that the parole board in the Turks and Caicos Islands could consider an application from the man who milked them out of billons of dollars…read more at Jamaica-Gleaner.com

Astronaut Visits Jamaica To Celebrate Black History. Astronaut Dr Mae Jemison, the first black woman to travel to space, will be in Jamaica today as part of the United States (US) Embassy in Kingston’s Black History Month celebrations. While in Jamaica, Jemison will participate in a science diplomacy lecture at the embassy, designed for practising scientists, students, and educators of science and an official evening reception hosted by US Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater…read more at Jamaica-Gleaner.com (Image Above: Dr. Mae Jemison in Jamaica in 2003)

1,000 Benefit From Eye-Care Programme. Jamaica says more than 1,000 people benefitted from procedures conducted under the Jamaica-Cuba Eye Care programme last year. Coordinator of the programme, Gregory Thomas, said that 1,250 people benefitted from the project and an additional 16,000 consultations also took place last year…read more at Jamaica-Gleaner.com

Marley Celebrations Begin Tomorrow – Digicel Concert To Be Held The Following Day. Digicel will, for the third year in a row, host a free concert celebrating the life and work of reggae icon Bob Marley. On Thursday at Emancipation Park some of the best acts in the music business will belt out hits and take the audience down memory lane with musical tributes to the reggae legend…read more at Jamaica-Gleaner.com